Last season in Atlanta Brand was thrust into a larger-than-expected role when Al Horford went down and he played solidly, particularly on defense where he was key. He didn’t put up big numbers (5.7 points and 4.9 rebounds a game) but he was efficient (.561 true shooting percentage). That said, against Indiana in the first round of the playoffs the Hawks went small (wisely) trying to space the floor and Brand’s role shrunk.

The Hawks could add a 15th player before the start of training camp next month. They are in negotiations with unrestricted center Elton Brand, who played last season with the team.

It’s not a signing that really moves the needle either way, but if this is a veteran minimum deal and Brand is used as he was at the start of last season — which is to say, sparingly, only in certain match ups — then this is a solid pickup. Brand would be good in the locker room and can still do some things on the court, you just don’t want to lean on him like the Hawks had to last season (he started 15 games).

His career PER is still well over 20 at 20.7 That is difficult to do, especially playing for a long time like he has when it goes down at the end of ones career.

I mean, for the last SEVEN seasons, Elton’s PER has been below 20 and yet his career average PER is still above 20. He was way up there in his prime.

Brand is 81st all time in career win shares per 48 min’s… For a comparison, Carmelo Anthony is only in 147th place all time in career win shares per 48 min’s and Melo hasn’t played into his mid 30’s yet like Elton has as he’s 35 right now. In other words, I’m betting Melo’s win shares per 48 min’s will drop in 4 to 5 yrs from now.

Melo’s career high win shares per 48 min’s was 2 yrs ago at .184

Elton was over .200 twice at .229 and .216 for his 2 best seasons.

My point is that Elton’s had a very good career, better than most realize.